The greatest and most significant gift that we can give our children is a full and complete education. The average time span of a school education is 15 years, of which 10 are spent at a preparatory school. It is during this early stage of schooling that a boy’s character is moulded and it is during these years that a boy must be given an excellent holistic grounding. At Cordwalles, we call this ‘your son’s best foundation for life’.
Cordwalles was founded in 1912 and over the years has remained a community that is, at its core, forward thinking and innovative in its approach to educating and nurturing young boys. Few other preparatory schools can provide the breadth of experience on offer at Cordwalles. It is renowned for its exceptional staff and academic credentials, as well as our world-class facilities set on a beautiful, 16-hectare campus in the suburb of Wembley in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.
Our ‘boys only’ approach helps us to provide an excellent progression for each individual within a broad mainstream curriculum. We aim to inspire each boy to be the best that he can be. The best schools not only focus on academics, artistic creativity or physical health, they aim to nurture and steer the character and moral values of its children as well. Our passion at Cordwalles is to help our boys to hone an array of qualities –respect, courage, compassion, integrity and responsibility.
A Cordwalles boy leaves the school at the end of his journey having self belief, and an enduring set of 21st-century skills that will enable him to thrive.
Cordwalles is a special place. Here you will discover a community in a stunning location, with a distinctive ethos and a tremendous spirit.
Mr Lance Veenstra, Headmaster
headmaster@cordwalles.co.za
ABOUT OUR HEADMASTER
Lance was born in Estcourt and is the eldest of four children. He went to Drakensview Primary School. After finishing primary school, he followed in his father’s footsteps and went to Maritzburg College, where he played 1st XI cricket and 2nd XV rugby. Lance was captain of Athletics and Deputy Head Boy.
After matriculating at Maritzburg College, Lance studied at the Johannesburg College of Education. It was here that he started his coaching career. He coached rugby and cricket at King Edward VII School. He was also one of the first coaches, under Dr Ali Bacher, to go into Soweto and coach cricket in 1986.
After graduating, Lance did his National Service in Pretoria and Nelspruit and became a Lieutenant. In 1991, Lance started teaching at his old school, Maritzburg College. He taught Physical Education, History and coached cricket and rugby, and ended up coach of the 1st XV. At different stages of his career at College, Lance was a House Master, Subject Head of History and Physical Education, Master in Charge of Rugby and Head of Department in charge of Prefects. Lance was previously the Deputy Headmaster and the Director of Sport at Cordwalles.
Lance is married to Belinda, a past Junior Primary teacher at Cordwalles, who currently teaches at The Wykeham Collegiate. They have a daughter, Jemma, and a son, Matt, who is a Cordwalles Old Boy.